Stop Worrying (Zophar)
Zophar, a very different character, loses patience. Coming from the same stable he is well aware of the questions and the arguments, but doesn't let them get to him. He has learned to live with them. God knows best. God is just and Job is probably getting less than he deserves (11: 6). The issue is not worth the candle. Best to put your life in order, you will soon get over it and all will be well. Look at it this way: instead of impugning God's justice try seeking God's help to take a fresh look at your life-style and find peace (11: 13-19). Sounds rather like a bad Agony Aunt. Not unlike Bildad but on a different basis (Bildad on doctrinal grounds, Zophar coldly rational) and that is enough to spark Job to a counter attack.
Having your beliefs challenged is one thing. Being patronised or not being treated seriously ('a laughing stock') is another. Job is as well informed as they are, and by their attitudes they are trivialising the issue. If that is the best they can do he will appeal to a higher court, as Job resumes the pedestal on which he has lived all his life to teach them a thing or two.
He invites them to look at nature. In their culture Nature and God were very closely connected and though Job does not spell out precisely the details or what nature teaches us a little imagination might suggest that the all-powerful God may be in control but not everything always runs as smoothly as we might expect. 'Nature red in tooth and claw' comes to mind. Or (if God really is all powerful) might Job be suggesting that God has to be held responsible for the some unfairness and inequality of life, so what have they to say to that?
In righteous anger, Job accuses his friends of whitewash and lies. If their previous meanderings are the best they can do they would be wiser to say nothing, leave him alone and let him get on with his quest. Self-confidence gives him hope he will be vindicated.